'Inaccessibility biggest challenge in polio eradication’

WHO, UNICEF, govt representatives attend national planning workshop


Our Correspondent July 29, 2015
PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Insecurity and inaccessibility are the biggest challenges confronting polio eradication efforts, Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said on Wednesday.

She was addressing the concluding day of the three-day National Emergency Action Planning Workshop. Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq chaired the workshop organised at a local hotel from July 27 to 29. Tarar led the proceedings on the final day.

Polio eradication partners formulated a comprehensive operational and communication work plan for next polio low season [September-May 2015-16] at the workshop.

The political agents, commissioners and secretaries of 12 tier-1 districts presented their respective work plans to polio eradication partners which were discussed in detail.

“Even though visible progress was made last year, the risk of continued transmission of polio virus was real and required integrated efforts from all partners,” Ayesha Raza Farooq said. She said that detailed district-wise plans for 12 tier-1 districts had been prepared taking into account the local needs. She said that validation of microplans, missed children, tracking migrant population, and quality surveillance were specifically focused in the national plan.

Punjab Health Services Director General Zahid Pervaiz said the innovative use of android technology for staff accountability in the Punjab had yielded positive results. He offered Punjab’s support to other provinces.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Mushtaq Jadoon said that the workshop was an opportunity to evaluate progress towards polio eradication and analyse the grey areas. South Waziristan Political Agent Islam Zeb said that his team had made great strides in polio eradication in the agency since November 2014. Balochistan EOC coordinator Dr Saifur Rehman said difficult terrain, security situation and scattered population were the biggest challenges facing the campaign in Balochistan.

Sindh’s Provincial Oversight and Coordination Cell Coordinator Shahnaz Wazir said that the provincial government was providing material and human resource for polio eradication efforts.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2015.

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